The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has determined that former child actress Daveigh Chase died from AIDS. According to online records released this week, Chase — whose last name was listed as Schwallier in the official documents — passed away on June 16 at the age of 35. The records also noted “chronic polysubstance abuse” as a significant contributing condition.
Chase rose to fame as the voice behind the beloved Disney character Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch,” and she also earned widespread recognition for her chilling portrayal of the long-haired Samara in the 2002 horror film “The Ring” — a performance that earned her an MTV Movie Award for best villain.
Following her death at a Los Angeles hospital, her father, John David Schwallier, told The New York Times that she died from complications related to bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. He also shared that Chase had been living homeless in Los Angeles alongside her boyfriend, and that she had been estranged from her parents, who are divorced.
Schwallier told the Times that his daughter had been battling drug addiction since she was just 13 years old. In a text message to The Associated Press on Tuesday, after learning that AIDS had been officially listed as her cause of death, he said, “I know with her lifestyle that was probably the conclusion so I’m not surprised.”
Describing his daughter’s death as a tragedy, Schwallier added, “It would’ve been nice for all of you to find her and try and help her that would’ve been a nicer story than this.”
Chase first auditioned for the role of Lilo when she was just 8 years old. Beyond her iconic Disney role, she also provided the voice for a lead character in the 2001 animated feature “Spirited Away.” Her acting credits include roles in the 2001 film “Donnie Darko” and the 2003 television series “Oliver Beene,” according to her profile on IMDb.
Born in Las Vegas and raised in the small town of Albany, Oregon, Chase began performing — singing and dancing — as early as age 3, according to IMDb.
